Rafaat Mughal, founder of the JAN Trust in Wood Green, receives OBE from Prince William

A women’s rights activist who received an OBE in the Queen’s New Years honours list received her medal from Prince William.

Rafaat Mughal, founder of the JAN Trust in Wood Green, was honoured for her work empowering women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

On Tuesday, March 4, the Duke of Cambridge presented her with the prize at Buckingham Palace.

Mrs Mughal said: “I was absolutely delighted to receive the OBE and the event in Buckingham Place was really good and very well organised as you’d expect.

“Prince William asked me what our organisation is doing and I told him briefly what we are about.

“He was very happy to hear about it and told me to keep up the good work.”

Mrs Mughal started the trust in 1989 and has since helped thousands of women across London to become independent, active members of society.

She said: “I told Prince William that we have helped more than 50,000 women in the past 25 years by helping them learn English, understand the British system so they take part in society and not feel isolated.

Mrs Mughal added: “I do this work because it is in me and a part of who I am.

“I feel very thrilled with all I have accomplished and it’s been great to be recognised by Buckingham Palace but I think it’s even better to hear it from my children.

“My children told me 'mum we are really proud of you' and I just burst into tears.”

As well as founding the charity, Mrs Mughal also lectures on the Middle East, east Africa and Europe, and previously worked as a researcher on issues affecting ethnic minorities.

She was also one of the first Muslim women to be elected as a councillor in Haringey.

Mrs Mughal was invited to 10 Downing Street by then Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and was also runner-up for the Lifetime Achievement Award 2012 in the Directory of Social Change Awards.

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